Safety concerns raised over Minot's 3rd St. crosswalk

MINOT, N.D. - Questions are being raised over the safety of the 3rd Street crosswalk in front of the Ward County Courthouse, after a girl was struck by a car last month.

Fortunately, the girl was not seriously hurt, but her mother and other community members raised their concerns before the Minot City Council Monday evening.

Minot City Engineer Lance Meyer suggested several solutions which could make the crosswalk a safer walking space.

"Rectangular rapid flash beacons, or RRFBs for short, is a 23 to 48 accident reduction. It helps to increase the yield to pedestrian compliance with those. Road diets or reducing from four lanes to three lanes will have a 20 to 50 percent reduction of accidents and a three second pedestrian lead phasing has a 59 percent reduction of accidents," said Lance Meyer.​Mayor Shaun Sipma suggested bringing the issue to state lawmakers to increase penalties for not respecting the crosswalk.